American Airlines Jet, Channeling 64, Involved in Midair Collision with Helicopter Near D.C. Airport

A regional jet operated by American Airlines, carrying a total of 64 individuals, collided midair with a military helicopter, specifically a Black Hawk, on Wednesday evening in proximity to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. The incident was confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The collision occurred around 9 p.m. Eastern Time while the Bombardier CRJ700 jet, managed by PSA Airlines, was approaching Runway 33 of the airport. The plane, designated Flight 5342, had originated its journey from Wichita, Kansas.

The on-board personnel included sixty passengers and four crew members, confirmed by a source familiar with the incident details.

Investigation Underway

The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), has initiated an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the midair collision.

Officials from the local jurisdiction stated that at least one of the aircraft ended up in the Potomac River. Social media platforms were flooded with images depicting a substantial number of emergency teams at the scene. Consequently, Reagan National Airport was shut down Wednesday night, as corroborated by the FAA.

Response from Authorities

American Airlines acknowledged being informed of the event and confirmed its intent to release further details as they become available. The White House disclosed that the President had been briefed about the incident, and transportation sector leadership, recently assumed by Sean Duffy, was also informed.

The National Transportation Safety Board is set to spearhead the inquiry into the incident.

There has been no immediate information regarding any fatalities. The last significant crash involving a U.S. commercial passenger flight transpired back in February 2009, involving Continental Flight 3407 which tragically crashed in Buffalo, New York, leading to 50 deaths.

This previous catastrophe influenced federal mandates that emphasized improved rest schedules and training protocols for pilots.

Operational Details

PSA Airlines operates as a fully integrated subsidiary of American Airlines, responsible for certain regional flight operations, including the flight involved in this incident.